Newbie - El Taj Bride?! Or other non-inclusive beach sites?

Just about to start reaching out to venues in the Playa Del Carmen to start planning our October wedding. My fiance Chris and I are excited to plan and know we have a lot of work to do. He works in the hotel/hospitality industry, and I am an event planner, so we have a lot of experience but it's definitely different planning your own! Plus we are not planning on doing a site, so we are rolling the dice a little and hoping for the best.

Anyone else looking at El Taj,or have any experience with their staff and vendors? We love this boutique hotel and are hoping that this might be *the one*!

Are there other recommendations for a non-inclusive hotel that is on the beach? For both room blocks and as a reception venue. We want to be on the beach, and would love to be able to do everything on site, and avoid the all-inclusive resorts.

Congratulations to all the engaged couples out there, and to those who have tied the knot!